It’s not shark news, but…Discovery and NHK (Japan’s national public broadcasting) have released the first video footage of the elusive live giant squid (Architeuthis species?) in its natural habitat. ABC News reports that the giant squid was first spotting using a submersible at a depth of 2,100′ (640m) in waters east of Chichi-jima. The submersible followed the squid to a depth of 2,953′ (900m). The specimen, which was missing its two longest tentacles, measured approximately 10′ (3m) in length, which is relatively small for species of the Architeuthis genus.

Footage of the encounter will air in as part of the documentary “Legends of the Deep: Giant Squid” on NHK this Sunday (January 13, 2012) and on “Monster Squid: The Giant Is Real” on the Discovery Channel on January 27.